Westtown Church

What happens in your heart when someone wrongs you? In this profound exploration of 1 Corinthians 13:5, we discover the supernatural quality of love that remains unshaken even when deeply wounded. "Love is not irritable or easily provoked" challenges us at our core, revealing how far we are from Christ's example of perfect love. Let's commit to the means of grace: corporate worship without fail, immersion in God's Word, prayer, sacraments, and fellowship. This is how God changes us from within.Support the show

Jesus concludes The Lord's Prayer in Matthew with "For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen."  This closing praise to God our Father who is King, who is in control, and who gets the glory.  Spoiler alert!  It isn't us!  But that is good news!  Together we'll understand why as we venture Forward in Faith!Support the show

A friend of ours lives in the mountains of Tennessee.  One morning she walked out early into the dark onto her porch, only to realize there was a bear at the edge of her porch.  She quickly proceeded back inside.  But do you realize that there is a lion waiting for you each morning, afternoon, and evening, prowling around, ready to devour you and your family and your church?  Jesus is teaching us here in this sixth petition of The Lord's Prayer to take Satan and the powers of demons and darkness in this world seriously.  Oh, how we need God's spiritual protection in our temptations and from evil powers in this world if we are to continue Forward in Faith!Support the show

Have you ever considered that your soul can live and act without your body but your body cannot live and act without your soul?  In this fifth petition of The Lord's Prayer Jesus teaches us that the vital importance of caring, not just for our bodies, but for our souls.  And there is nothing more critical to the care of our souls than God forgiving our sins, even those sins that sometimes haunt us when we put our head on the pillow at night.  Do you know the forgiveness of your sins through Christ?  Is there anyone you need to forgive in your life?  Let's cleanse our conscience of any guilt and our hearts of the root of bitterness this Sunday in worship as we move Forward in Faith together.Support the show

Jesus teaches us to pray for daily bread.  Not weekly, monthly, or yearly, but daily.  Daily bread.  Not filet mignon, sea bass, or chicken fettuccine alfredo, but bread.  If we are experiencing discontent, grumbling, or filled with anxiety and fear, we need Jesus to teach us to truly pray this fourth petition of The Lord's Prayer, that we might live our lives with contentment, gratitude, and peace.  See you in worship Sunday as we learn how to pray for daily bread as we move Forward in Faith together.Support the show

What gives life ultimate meaning and purpose?  What will make the way you live your life today matter in 500 years, or 500,000 years, or 500 million years?  How do we face personal tragedy and suffering and death?  There is only one adequate answer:  Jesus Christ is bodily risen from the dead!  This Lord's Day let's celebrate together this glorious fact of history that puts eternal meaning and purpose into everything we think, say, do, or don't do.Support the show

Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Sunday, at the beginning of what we call Passion Week.  Why is Jesus' riding of a donkey into Jerusalem so important, for it is recorded in all four Gospels?  Jesus was "crossing the Rubicon" for the salvation of the world!  In this event the beauty of Christ's heart for sinners is on full display.Support the show

What is your favorite food?  Jesus told us what His favorite was in John 4:34, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work" (ESV).  This third petition of The Lord's Prayer reminds us we need to align ourselves with God's will revealed in His Word and with His will revealed to us by His providence--that is, those things He appoints in our life.  In short, this is a prayer for God to fill His people and the peoples of the world with the meekness of Jesus Christ.  Let's ponder it together this Sunday in worship as we move Forward in Faith together.Support the show

We cannot understand what is going on inside of us or in the world around us unless we understand that we live in a world where there is a clash of kingdoms--the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness, the church and the world.  This second petition of The Lord's Prayer reminds us that we cannot fix what is wrong with us or with the world.  We need's God's sovereign power and grace for that.  Let's think about that this Sunday in worship as we move Forward in Faith together.Support the show

What is the purpose of a coffee maker?  It certainly isn't designed to make ham sandwiches.  It's purpose is to brew coffee.  That's why it was created.  What is the purpose of an adopted child of God our Father?  Jesus teaches us in the first petition of The Lord's Prayer and this purpose gives direction to all things in the Christian life.  See you Sunday as we continue Forward in Faith together.Support the show

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How we spend our money tells us where our heart is--what we value, desire, and love. It tells us what we think is worth a sacrifice. In a similar way, how we pray tells us what we think of God, ourselves, Christ's church, our neighbor, and the world we live in. Our prayer life reveals what we really trust, care about, long for, and love. This Sunday, like the disciples, we too will ask, "Lord Jesus, teach us to pray."Support the show

The Lord's Prayer does not simply show us how to pray.  It is a blueprint for living and giving to the glory of God.  See you Sunday as we begin to explore together this great prayer Jesus taught us.Support the show

The home where we have lived and the citizenship of the country we live in profoundly shapes our values, beliefs, life perspective, desires, goals, and dreams, even when we are away from our home and even when we are residing in a different country.  The Bible assures us Christians that Heaven is our eternal home and the place of our spiritual citizenship.  Mature faith breathes the air of Heaven and is profoundly heavenly-minded.  This Sunday we'll consider the massive difference that makes in how we live on earth.Support the show

What do you think of God's Church?  What do you think about Westtown Church?  What difference might it make if you and I saw God's Church, including Westtown Church, the way Christ sees her?  The Bible shows us.  Let's think and pray about that this week.Support the show

Years ago there was a wonderful little book written by J.B. Phillips called Your God is Too Small. It's what Martin Luther meant when he said to Erasmus in the 16th century, "Your God is too human [like]." The LORD Himself puts it like this in Isaiah 40:25, "To whom then will you compare me...?" (ESV) God is great, Westtown Church! Let's move Forward in Faith and celebrate our great God together!Support the show

Jesus alone is the Head of God's Church and the King of God's kingdom.  As the risen King, He has a kingdom on earth that He is building that is concentrated in the local church.  Our Lord rules His kingdom on earth through His divine Word and Spirit and through His ordained officers of the kingdom--pastors, elders, and deacons--who are called to prayerfully, graciously, and practically apply the King's Law (the Bible) to the life and ministry of the local church for both hopeful encouragement and loving accountability.  See you Sunday as we worship the King of heaven together!Support the show

How you treat my wife is how you treat me. To injure or love my wife is to injure or to love me. When Saul, the hate-filled persecutor of the early church who later became the Apostle Paul, was confronted by the risen Lord Jesus Christ, He did not say to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting the church?" Rather, Jesus said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" This Sunday let's consider Jesus' holy, jealous love for His Bride and what that means practically for us.Support the show

There was once a man who went and bought a very expensive piano for his home.  No one in his family knew how to play piano nor did he have any intention of learning piano.  But there the piano sat, for years, gathering dust.  God mercifully saves us sinners through faith in Christ.  But for what purpose?  Just as a piano purchased at great expense is meant to be played, a sinner purchased by the precious blood of Christ is saved for a divine purpose on this earth.  See you Sunday as we get clarity on God's purpose for our life in this world as God's people.Support the show

It is one thing to be thirsty and know you need water to live.  It is another thing altogether to know where to find that life-giving and life-sustaining water.  It is one thing to know you are a sinner and to find your hope in the sovereign mercy of God alone.  It is another thing altogether to know where to find that saving mercy of God, how to drink from that divine well, and how much it will cost you for that merciful water.  Let's meditate upon that together this coming Lord's Day.Support the show

What is the secret of becoming better lovers at home, in the church, and of our neighbors in the community?  Speaking of the sinful woman who wet Jesus' feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them and anointed them with expensive perfumed oil, Jesus said to Simon the Pharisee, "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much.  But he who is forgiven little, loves little" (Luke 7:47 ESV).  Jesus' answer tells us the secret of how God transforms people into loving much.  And this is why the first church membership vow is so critical if we at Westtown Church are to be a loving people.  See you this Sunday as we ponder it together from God's Word.Support the show

Let's re-commit to God's Word in 2025 and beyond.Support the show

Advent is a time of anticipation, and this year we're celebrating the “God of Wonders.” The Christmas story is about the miraculous birth of Jesus but also about the supernatural ways God works in the lives of ordinary people for our good and for our salvation. Together, we'll explore the wonders of His promises, His presence, and His power, drawing us into the incredible hope we have in Christ.Support the show

In the story of the Magi, we see that the news of Jesus' birth is good news for all people, from all nations. Matthew wants us to examine the responses of The Magi, Herod, and the Jewish Clergy to the news of Jesus' coming, and see that there's no middle ground when it comes to Jesus. We are either troubled by Him and reject him, or we rejoice over him and worship Him.Support the show

Jesus and Immanuel the two names that told Joseph everything he needed to know about Christ. They tell us about who God is and the salvation we have in him.Support the show

In a classic 1979 Steve Martin comedy The Jerk, Steve plays a man named Navin, who bursts with excitement and jubilation when the new published phone book arrives.  We laugh precisely because a phone book doesn't warrant such ridiculous excitement.  We may be tempted to treat the genealogy of the Gospel of Matthew like a list of names in an old phone book.  But the beauty of God's gracious and faithful character and the glory of the gospel are embedded in that very portion of Scripture we may be tempted to skip.  Come and see this Sunday as we enter week one of Advent!Support the show

In the Fall of 1621, our Pilgrim forefathers celebrated a three-day Thanksgiving feast with 90 Wampanoag Indians. They had previously lost about half of their fellow Pilgrims to death due to that harsh first winter, yet, they were thankful to God for His great mercy and many gracious blessings upon them. We, too, have much for which to be thankful to the LORD, as our Creator and Redeemer. Let's consider Psalm 100 together this Sunday, "a psalm for giving thanks."Support the show

Hear the good news about what God is doing around the world to advance his KingdomWesttown's normal Sunday morning worship services and Sunday School classes will have a missions theme on November 17th. Come and hear all about how God calls us to fulfill the Great Commission both at home and abroad with our time, talent, and treasures.Missions Sunday is an opportunity to share more about why a Biblical Christian is also a missional Christian, and to highlight missions opportunities in which we can all be involved through prayer, financial support, and going ourselves.Support the show

During the 16th Reformation, church reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others brought the church back to the clarity of the biblical gospel--the gospel of "justification by faith alone." It is one thing to know God forgives sinners but how can I know God has personally forgiven me? It is one thing to know that God graciously gives sinners the free gift of righteousness but how can I as a sinner personally receive that free gift? We'll look more deeply at Romans 1:17 this Sunday to answer these questions and continue our reflection on this very important Bible verse in church history.Support the show

We will all give an account to God at the Final Judgment. So how is it that we as sinners can get right with a holy God? How do we know that God is at peace with us? How can we be assured that we will spend eternity with God and His saints in Heaven forever? A German monk named Martin Luther wrestled with these same questions over 500 years ago. Luther's conscience was tormented by his sin in light of the holiness of God until he truly understood that phrase "the righteousness of God" in Romans 1:17. Let's celebrate the 16th century Reformation this Sunday and relish together what Luther re-discovered in the Bible! Support the show

What does a moderately firm handshake, a limp handshake, a firm handshake, a kiss on the cheek--perhaps once, twice or even three times!--a bow, one's nose to the forehead, a smile and a nod, and sticking out your tongue all have to do with love? Come this Sunday and find out as we continue in the Love Chapter of 1 Corinthians 13.Support the show

In the first part of Ephesians 1 Paul lays out for us the doctrine of the Trinity, God's eternal and perfect family. He also explains how the church is grafted into that family. The Father adopts, the Son unifies, and the Holy Spirit seals us to the praise of His glory!Support the show

As our church family gathers together, at Westchase Elementary after Hurricane Milton, let us remember the promises God gives us that He is in control and He will deliver us from the storms in our lives. We look to Lamentations 3 and are reminded that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases – His mercies never come to an end.Support the show

The King James Bible says 'charity [or love] vaunteth not itself.' It does not walk around saying, like one of Will Ferrell's movie characters, 'I'm kind of a big deal.' Love doesn't write a book entitled, 'Humility and How I Achieved It.' Rather, love willingly stoops to do the work of the lowliest slave, dies to self, and absorbs suffering for the good of others, even death on the Cross. We'll ponder the humble, sacrificial love of Jesus this Sunday together.Support the show

The sin of envy has been placed by Western theologians among the list of Seven Deadly Sins, meaning envy is not simply a particular sin, like an individual weed, but a vice, like a crawling vine that takes over the yard. This is why Rebecca DeYoung says that envy is not so much like a broken arm but cancer, a cancer fueled, not by sugar, but by pride. This Sunday we will consider from 1 Corinthians 13 that "love...does not envy."Support the show

When Americans think of a long nose, we typically think of Pinocchio and his lying. But the Bible speaks of a different kind of long nose. The Bible tells us that God is "slow to anger"--literally, "long of nose." In other words, God is very patient because God is love. We see that loving patience of God most supremely in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of impatient sinners. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit we, too, can grow in love by becoming a more patient people to those around us.Support the show

If you have ever been to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado or other beautiful areas, there are sometimes places along the side of the road marked "Scenic Overlook."  Like a delicious dessert, such places are meant to be taken in more slowly and savored.  Such places, by the beauty of the breathtaking view, demand we slow down and enjoy the view.  There are places like that in the Bible.  1 Corinthians 13 is one of them.  Beginning this Sunday, we will slow down for many weeks at the scenic overlook often called "The Love Chapter."Support the show

Is the old Canadian rock group Loverboy right?  Is it true that "Everybody's working for the weekend"?  Is our daily work something we simply endure and put up with?  God reveals to us in the Bible a rich and grand vision for our ordinary daily labors.  There is a reason why Jesus was a carpenter much longer than He was a preacher.Support the Show.

One of the hardest lessons to learn in the Christian life is that God's grace truly is sufficient for every circumstance and that the greatest weapon we have to deal with spiritual warfare is the shield of faith. In the latter half of Psalm 10 King David shows us a good kind of stubbornness--a stubborn faith that "keeps breaking through" in a difficult time.Support the Show.

Have you ever wondered if God cared about your problems or sufferings? The two great questions of the Psalms and the prayers of God's people to God throughout the ages are "Why?" and "How long?" In the first half of Psalm 10, King David cries out "why" to God, for David is being unjustly attacked by wicked people and God seems far off, as if He is hiding from David. Support the Show.

Suffering certainly does not feel normal but the Bible reveals that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life. That suffering seems even more painful when it comes from the hands, mouths and schemes of other people. The second half of Psalm 9 reminds us of at least five things we need to remember about God when our faith is challenged with suffering.Support the Show.

It has been said that in some parts of the world people sleep in high towers because the gnats can't fly that high. For Christians, God is a high tower and when the cares and fears of this world are biting us, our faith needs to get in that high tower. The first half of Psalm 9 shows us what that looks like.Support the Show.

Our galaxy has over 100 trillion stars and our universe has over 200 billion galaxies. It is incredibly vast. We look up in the sky and see the greatness and majesty of God! By comparison, people may seem to be more than insignificant. And, yet, Psalm 8 reminds us of something beautiful: the majestic Creator of the universe is "mindful" of us and He cares for us. No wonder Charles Spurgeon called Psalm 8 "The Song of the Astronomer." Support the Show.

We often think of God as a Refuge--that is, we find comfort in taking refuge in God's love. But have you considered that in a world where people are too often horribly mistreated, we can take refuge in God's justice? Psalm 7 reminds us that God's people don't take vengeance in their own hands but trust God to set things right--because He will. Support the Show.

Psalm 6 is a wonderful example of teaching us how to pray honestly to God when we are downcast and depressed, especially when we have a troubled conscience due to our sin. It also reminds us that God is a good Father to His children and, therefore, He disciplines His children in love.Support the Show.

One of the hardest things in all the world to do is to respond to the hatred or unjust treatment of others toward us in a way that is pleasing to God. Psalm 5 instructs us what to do when we are deeply hurt so we can display the beautiful, loving character that Jesus showed His own enemies.Support the Show.

We live in a dangerous world filled with trials of every kind. Psalm 4 teaches us about the blessing of being under the shadow of God's wings and the secret to lying down to sleep in peace.Support the Show.

How do you deal with your spiritual enemies and fears? Psalm 3 teaches us to deal with them in confidence and courage through faith in God's mercy and faithfulness through Jesus Christ.Support the Show.

The famous Bible verse John 3:16 speaks both of God's great "love" for a rebellious world but also alludes to His judgment (in the word "perish").  In like manner, Psalm 2 alludes to God's Son (Jesus) as a saving "refuge" but also mentions His just "wrath."  Psalm 2 helps us understand what R.C. Sproul meant when he said, "We are saved from God by God."Support the Show.

This summer, we invite you to join us as we explore Psalms 1-10, together as a church family. Psalms 1 and 2 serve as the introductory pillars to the entire Psalter, laying a foundational understanding. Meanwhile, Psalms 3-10 form a group known as "The Chain of Trust."St. Augustine, around AD 400, the greatest theologian of the first millennium, expressed his deep love for God through the Psalms, saying..."How my love for Thee, O God, was kindled by those psalms!" The 16th-century Reformer Martin Luther referred to the Psalter as..."...a little Bible...an entire summary of it comprised in one booklet." In 1557, John Calvin described the Psalms as "An Anatomy of the Soul," noting that..."...for there is not an emotion of which anyone can be conscious that is not here as represented in a mirror...all the griefs, sorrows, fears, doubts, hopes, cares, perplexities" we experience in the Christian life."Let's learn to trust God in our fallen world through these timeless songs and discover how they can reignite our love for God, reflect our deepest emotions, and strengthen our hope in Him.----------This Week's Sermon:Have you considered the sober reality of standing at the Final Judgment, awaiting God's verdict on your life, with one of two eternal destinies at stake--Heaven or Hell?  Martin Luther once wisely said, "I make it the business of every day to prepare for my final day."  Psalm 1 gives us critical insight into living a blessed and fruitful life, with eternity in view.Support the Show.

Where does the spiritual power for Westtown Church come from to advance the kingdom of God in NW Tampa and to the ends of the earth?  What does a vibrant, Spirit-filled church look like?  What are the essential things to which God's people are to be devoted, and where does that passion and devotion of the heart and life come from?  How does God grow His Church His way?  At the end of Acts chapter two, God shows us where true spiritual power comes from in the Church--that power which enables Christians to be focused on the right things with hearts filled with joy, souls filled with awe, lives filled with love, worship filled with praise, and a church that is growing in all the right ways to the glory of God.Support the Show.